Neighborhood Links

• Area Township and Borough Sites
• Other Government and Civic
• Historic and Preservation
• Education
• Newspapers
• Recreation and Entertainment
• Miscellaneous

Most of our neighborhood townships and boroughs have their own web sites, which are listed below. Some of the links are "official" web sites, others are similar to this web site in that they are unofficial sites created by residents.

Avondale Borough
Birchrunville
Caln Township
Charlestown Township (This is it!)
East Pikeland Township
East Whiteland Township
Easttown Township
Malvern Borough
Phoenixville Borough
Schuylkill Township
Tredyffrin Township
Upper Uwchlan Township
Uwchlan Township
West Brandwyine Township
West Pikeland Township
West Vincent Township
West Whiteland Township
Willistown Township

Chester County Government

This site provides well organized information about all administrative projects of Chester County.

Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau

This site provides information of special interest to those visiting or new to Chester County as a resident or employee. While the emphasis is on the Brandywine Valley, the site has a lot of information of interest to residents in all parts of the county.

Chester County Connect

Launched January of 2003, this regional web site hosts and links seven Chester County municipalities and township web sites, specifically West Whiteland, East Goshen, West Goshen, West Chester, East Bradford, Westtown, and Thornbury. In addition to municipal government information, the site offers movie listings for the major area theater complexes (but not the Colonial Theatre), and other local information.

Chester County Association of Township Officials

This site provides links to a wide variety of information about Chester County townships and their governments.

Chester County Library

The Chester County Library's home page provides access to information about the county library, including its collections, branches, upcoming events and special programs. A calendar of upcoming events and programs is available here. For the Phoenixville Library, click here.

Chester County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and Amateur Radio Emergency Service

RACES and ARES is a combined organization of FCC licensed amateur radio operators whose primary purpose is to provide county-wide public service and emergency communications.

Chester County Solid Waste Authority

Established by the Chester County Commissioners in 1984, the CCSWA owns and operates the Lanchester Sanitary Landfill in Honey Brook. The site includes information on Hazardous Waste Disposal and other aspects of waste disposal at Lanchester.

East Whiteland Fire Company

This site provides a great deal of information about the East Whiteland Fire Company, which covers a significant portion of Charlestown Township (see our fire company zone map in our General Info section by clicking here.)

Energy Conservation Help for Local Governments

This site will provide you with information on energy conservation and energy efficiency, alternative energy, and related tools, financial incentives and resources. This website can help you to recognize opportunities for your municipality to reduce its energy use, cut costs, and continue to provide quality services to the public. You will find information on savings in street lighting, indoor lighting, water treatment, heating and cooling, fuel efficiency, and alternative and renewable energy, and much much more!

Kimberton Fire Company

This site provides a great deal of information about the Kimberton Fire Company, which covers a significant portion of Charlestown Township (see our fire company zone map in our General Info section by clicking here.)

Landscapes

Landscapes (now Landscapes2) is an award winning program of the Chester County Planning Commission aimed at bringing growth and preservation together for Chester County. This comprehensive and influential program is into its second decade guiding municipalities, developers, preservationists, and many others in setting priorities for where and how our County grows including both how to revitalize our urban centers and small towns and how best to protect our natural, rural, and historic heritage. For much more on Landscapes2, click here.

Operation Lifesaver

A highway-rail grade crossing safety campaign involving education, enforcement, engineering and evaluation.

Pennsylvania Dept of Environmental Protection

This is a comprehensive web site covering all projects and programs of the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

PennDOT Construction Advisory for SE Pennsylvania

This page shows a map of southeastern Pennsylvania state roads with indicators as to where there is construction.

Pennsylvania State Data Center

This is a well designed, comprehensive site representing "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Official Source for Economic and Demographic Information". It serves as Pennsylvania's official source of population and economic statistics. In addition to acting as Pennsylvania's liaison to the Census Bureau, the PSDC is the state's representative to the Federal-State Cooperative Programs for Population Estimates and for Population Projections.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike

You will be surprised by this web site. Many of us view the PA Turnpike as an ugly gash through our Township, though we do not hesitate to use it when it suits our purpose. This web site not only provides information about the Turnpike as it exists today, but includes a fascinating, in depth history of "America's First Superhighway". (See other entry below under Historic and Preservation.) In addition, this site has well developed sections titled Fast Facts, Financial, Chronology, Technical and Safety.

Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee

YThe Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee, of which Charlestown is a member, has created this website to help provide information to residents of the participating townships.

Phoenixville Fire Company

This is the official web site for the Phoenixville Fire Company.

Phoenixville Public Library

This is the official web site for the Phoenixville Library, part of the Chester County Library System.

Downtown Phoenixville in Dec 2005 covering activities and news about Phoenixville.

SPCA of Chester County

This site provides information about the Chester County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Transportation Management Association of Chester County

This site has all kinds of current information about commuting and traffic issues in Chester County, including public transit, highway construction schedules, current detours, and organizations associated with local transportation.

Valley Forge Sewer Authority

The VFSA Mission is to protect the public health and preserve the environment by collecting wastewater from within our service area, processing it, and returning treated wastewater and its by-products to the environment in compliance with regulatory standards. Charlestown is one of the township members of this authority.

American Helicopter Museum and Education Center

Located at the Brandywine Airport in West Chester, this museum is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of historic rotorcraft. With the help of the renowned National Air & Space Museum in nearby Washington, D.C., as well as the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and corporate sponsors, the new American Helicopter Museum forms a historic centerpiece for the rotorcraft industry--showcasing the aircraft, technology, and milestone contributions of rotary-wing flight to this nation's aviation heritage.

The Mill at Anselma

Located off Route 401 in Chester Springs, the Mill at Anselma was constructed in c. 1747 by Samuel Lightfoot. The Mill retains its original Colonial-Era power train, as well as multiple layers of industrial equipment ranging from the late 1700s to the mid 1900s.

Chester County Historical Society

Located in West Chester, the Chester County Historical Society has many resources associated with the history of our county, including exhibits, a library, photography collections, genealogy information, and other areas of interest.

Covered Bridges of Chester County

A documentary web site on the covered bridges of our county with several photographs.

Eastern PA Water Pollution Control Operators Assoc.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association (EPWPCOA) is a non-profit association whose members are actively involved in protecting the water environment through their profession. This site covers many projects of water preservation in our area.

Find a Grave in Pennsylvania

This web site lists about seventy-five famous Pennsylvanians from Marion Anderson to Jim Thorpe and the cemetery (with address) where they are interred.

Great Valley Nature Center

The GV Nature Center, located in Charlestown at Rt 29 and Hollow Road, was founded in 1974 as a non-profit organization dedicated to provide quality environmental education for school children, organized groups, and the general public. GVNC programs reach over 30,000 school children a year.

Green Valleys Association

The Green Valleys Association is a nonprofit environmental organization located in northern Chester County. The association's web site includes a section on the Pickering Creek watershed.

Heritage Antique Map Museum

Located in Lititz, Heritage Map Museum is the world's first museum fully devoted to the sale and display of original works of the masters of cartography. Old brick walls and large wood beamed ceilings frame the setting for our 7,500 square foot display area. Hundreds of original 16th to 19th century antique maps are beautifully displayed.

Historical Places in Chester County

This site lists all of the houses in Chester County that are on the National Registry of Historic Places. For a few of these, there is detailed information and photos available. This site is provided by the publishers of Chester County Genealogy Home Page, another site worth checking out by township residents.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

This site describes everything there is to know about the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, located on Locust Street in Philadelphia.

Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area

The official web site of the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area, a great neighborhood resource.

Historic Yellow Springs

Historic Yellow Springs is a very active organization with a lively calendar of events and many educational programs. The annual Yellow Springs Art Show is a major area event, as is the annual Craft Festival. This organization has an extensive photographic library and other historical resources of interest and value to Charlestown residents.

Natural Lands Trust

Natural Lands Trust works to preserve the beauty of our region by working with townships, communities and other conservation groups to preserve our remaining open space.

Pennsylvania Railroad Attractions

If you're into the history of railroads, this site lists railroad attractions all over the state, with links to many related railroad web sites.

Pennsylvania Turnpike History

You will be surprised by this web site. Many of us view the PA Turnpike as an ugly gash through our Township, though we do not hesitate to use it when it suits our purpose. This web site not only provides information about the Turnpike as it exists today, but includes a fascinating, in depth history of "America's First Superhighway". Formally begun in 1937, when the Turnpike Commission was created, the highway's early years are fully described including some old photographs and post cards.

Phoenix Iron Canal & Trails Association

PICTA has been working in the Boro since 1989 to promote the Phoenixville Greenway, a ten mile trail system along the Schuylkill River and French Creek. PICTA also partners in the Black Rock Preserve, the 44 acre bird sanctuary being built by the County in the old coal de-silting basin along Rt. 113 in the Boro's "loop". Their web site, which includes a map of the trail system, provides information about the organization and its projects.

Pickering Creek

This page and linked photographs are part of Bill Quay's excellent Schuylkill River site (below). It focuses on the portion of Pickering Creek that passes through our township.

Schuylkill Canal Association

This revamped site provides a comprehensive look at one of the most ambitious historical renovation projects in the area, the restoration of Lock #60, just across the Rt. 29 bridge from Phoenixville. The site includes the history of the Schuylkill Canal, schedules of events and information about the association.

Schuylkill River

This site gives you access a great deal of information about the river and the land through which it passes. Did you know the first covered bridge in America crossed the Schuylkill River? This site has a picture and description of that bridge and just about everything else that is related to our nearby river.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

This site provides information about the park and the surrounding area. Additional (less commercial) information can be found at the Historic Valley Forge site.

Charlestown Farm Center

The Farm Center helps organize educational events at Broadwater Farm and Charlestown Cooperative Farm and at the Phoenixville Farmers' Market.

Charlestown Township Elementary School

Part of the Great Valley School District's web site, this section has the Charlestown Elementary School's schedule, teacher and PTO information.

Chester County Intermediate Unit

This is a very comprehensive site covering all projects of the Chester County Intermediate Unit.

Delaware County Community College

DCCC, with sevices at their Exton Center and Downingtown Campus, offers credit and non-credit programs as well as associate degees and certificates.

"First Grade Views"

This is a collection of three poems written by first graders (Patrick Armstrong and Laura Emerson) at Charlestown Elementary School.

Great Valley Middle School

This is a comprehensive site sponsored and maintained by students and faculty at the Great Valley Middle School.

Great Valley School District

This site, many parts of which are still under construction, covers the Great Valley High School, General Wayne Middle School, and the district's elementary schools. It also provides neighborhood links, maps and historical background.

Great Valley School District - School Profiles

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) has published a series of rather detailed and comprehensive School Profiles, one for each public school in the state. Separate profiles are available for Charlestown Elementary School, General Wayne Middle School, and the Great Valley HighSchool. Profiles are easily obtained for other schools in our area. Note that these profiles are not viewable in your web browser, but are downloaded files that are then viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader application. If you do not already have Acrobat Reader, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment home page has a link to download it.

Great Valley Stakeholders

Great Valley Stakeholders is a group of parents, senior citizens, business owners, taxpayers and other concerned citizens from the Great Valley School District in Malvern, Pennsylvania. They share a collective appreciation for our area, our neighbors, and the educators of our children who shape the future daily through their efforts within our schools. Their purpose is to maintain a positive and productive dialogue, encouraging the most effective use of resources toward a single end--the best possible education available in our schools.

Penn State Great Valley

The Great Valley campus of Penn State University offers graduate degrees and professional development programs for working professionals. Their web site describes their many offerings and has information on all aspects of the University's campus at Rt. 202 and Rt. 29. Scheduled lectures and presentations are shown on News and Events page which is here.

Valley Forge Christian College

Valley Forge Christian College is a regionally accredited Christian college of Arts, Sciences, and Professions on a beautiful 106-acre Chester County campus, with 24 undergraduate majors and 2 graduate programs taught by dedicated professors all committed to the VFCC mission to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and the world.

• The Daily Local News  (West Chester)
• Lancaster Farming
• The Mercury  (Pottstown)
• The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News - (Includes back issues and archives)
• The Phoenix  (Phoenxiville)
• The Suburban Advertiser  (Main Line - weekly)

Charlestown Twp Area Children Activities

We have our own page listing activities for children in our area including sports, horseback riding, summer camps, and local facilities for hosting birthday parties for children.

Chester County Concert Band

This band was formed in 1981 and is made up of more than 50 amateur musicians from Chester and surrounding counties. The band makes about 15 performance appearances a year.

Colonial Theatre

Originally built in 1903 on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, the Colonial Theatre is being completely renovated by the Association for the Colonial Theatre. The theater shows first run movies at low cost (even less expensive for ACT members) in a 50's atmosphere, but with modern projection equipment, and also has a Saturday childrens program.

Fishing License Issuing Agents in Chester County

A list of establishments and offices in Chester County where fishing licenses may be purchased.

Forge Theater  (Phoenixville)  

This site describes the history of the Forge Theater as well as upcoming performances and auditions.

Horse-Shoe Trail

This link takes you to information about the Horse-Shoe Trail in general as it passes through Pennsylvania, as well as more detailed information on the trail's passage through Charlestown Township.

Marsh Creek State Park

This site provides general park information as well as descriptions of recreational opportunities and a brief history of the Marsh Creek State Park.

Phoenixville Art, Entertainment and Dining Scene

The definitive stop for Phoenixville's art and dining scene. See article on site here.

Restaurants of Chester County

Provided by Chester County Links, this page provides links to Chester County restaurants that have web pages.

Broadwater Farm

Located just north of the village and with a long border along Charlestown Road opposite the Fisher Farm, Broadwater Farm is closely linked to both the Charlestown Cooperative Farm and the Phoenixville Farmers' Market.

Charlestown Cooperative Farm     (Newsletters)

Charlestown Cooperative Farm is a nonprofit, CSA or Community Supported Agricultural farm. It is located on Charlestown Road between Phoenixville and Malvern in Charlestown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Under the care and management of experienced farmers Aimee Kocis and John Good, this new and exciting venture offers produce grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified seed of any kind.

Charlestown Farm Center

The Farm Center helps organize educational events at Broadwater Farm and Charlestown Cooperative Farm and at the Phoenixville Farmers' Market.

ChesCommunity

A relatively new and growing resource site that is loaded with information about businesses in Chester County. Includes movie times for the theaters in Downingtown, Lionville, Painter's Crossing, East Whiteland and Phoenixville. Check it out.

Chester County Links

This site is an excellent ongoing project to index all web sites related to Chester County. It's organized by both "Area" (municipality) and "Topic" and is well cross-referenced.

Chester County Links

An extensive list of links to organizations and businesses in Chester County.

Chester County Directory

This is a new site providing links to a variety of non-commercial and commercial sites in Chester County.

Chester County Information Center

A collection of information (with links) on Chester County, Pennsylvania: its boroughs, city, townships, school districts and officials elected to Congress (both state and federal).

Chester County Interlink - WebCity

This Chester County site provides links on many topics of interest to residents of Chester County.

Create A Scene Inc.

This is Charlestown Township resident Michael Bowell's business site for his garden and greenhouse on Bodine Road.

Go2Malvern.com  

Started in late 2009, this site provides local information and events in and around Malvern. Includes detailed school activities.

MOMS Club Great Valley North Chapter

This site provides information about the MOMS Club Great Valley North Chapter, a growing chapter of the International MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support), a nonprofit, nondenominational organization of over 1200 chapters world-wide.

Newcomers of Great Valley

This organization welcomes new residents of the Great Valley school district, helping newcomers learn about their new neighborhoods and meeting other new residents. A wide range of socials, luncheons, workshops and activities groups are open to their members. They also serve new residents in the Tredyffrin-Easttown school district.

Pennsylvania Top Links

This site is a new directory of web resources regarding many aspects of the state of Pennsylvania. Organized by categories and sub-categories, the site covers a wide range of information about our state, its localities (including Charlestown), recreation, maps, education and many more topics.

Phoenixville Pennsylvania Community Forum

This USA-Talk forum is designed to provide a meeting place for anyone wishing to chat or converse about Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. You can discuss current events, share stories, or just say hi to good friends. In fact, you can discuss anything about Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Phoenixville Online

A web site for the Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce. (Note, this site contains several large very good but images in Scenes Around Town that exceed 100kb.) Links are included for area businesses and points of interest, as well as an area map.

Phoenixville

This site is still very "thin" in terms of content, with many areas under construction. It does offer the beginnings of an attractive photo album of the Phoenxiville community.

Playground Clearing House

Township resident Paul Hogan's business is making playgrounds safe. This website promotes playground safety and describes his products and services.

Comcast Cable

Comcast Cable's home page. Enter your zip code for channel line-up and services, etc.

Township Demographics (from the 1990 census)

Population and housing data are available courtesy of PSU as well as education and employment data.

U.S. Census Bureau Official Statistics for Pennsylvania

Various statistics and maps based on census data from 1990 through 2000.